Objective To evaluate the effects of shRNA-TGF-β1 plasmid on Smads signal transduction of rat renal allograft.Methods A Sprague-Dawley to Wistar rat orthotopic transplant kidney-sclerosis accelerated model was constructed and transfected with short hairpin RNA-TGF-β1 based on the hydromechanics.The recipients were divided into three groups:group T(plasmid group)injected with shRNA-TGF-β1;group H(vacant plasmid group)injected with vacant plasmid;group Y(simply transplantation group)injected with no plasmid.In group J(sham-operated group)only right kidney was removed with no transplantation as control group.Transplanted kidneys and blood samples were collected at the first,second and third month after transplantation.The blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and serum Cr were tested by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay.The gene transcriptional level of TGF-β1 and Smad3/7 was detected by RT-PCR,and the protein variations of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad3/7 were examined by Western blotting.Results At each test time point,the BUN and serum Cr were significantly higher in the plasmid group than in the sham-operated group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),but obviously lower than in the vacant plasmid group and simply transplantation group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The expression of TGF-β1 as well as phosphorylated Smad3 was significantly higher in the plasmid group than in the sham-operated group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),but obviously lower than in the vacant plasmid group and simply transplantation group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).However,the expression of phosphorylated Smad7 was significantly lower in the plasmid group than in the sham-operated group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),but obviously higher than in the vacant plasmid group and simply transplantation group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Short hairpin RNA-TGF-β1 plasmid could significantly improve the renal function of rat renal allografts probably by downregulating phosphorylated Smad3 and upregulating phosphorylated Smad7,leading to the inhibition of TGF-beta 1 promoting fibrosis role and delay of the allograft fibrosis.

Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy

[Objective]This study was conducted to examine the effects of dexmedetomidine on the proliferation and angiogenesis of MHCC97H and SMCC7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cell lines cultured in hypoxia condition in vitro,and investigated the possible mechanism involved.[Methods]MHCC97H and SMCC7721 human HCC cell lines under hypoxia culture condition were treated with presence or absence of dexmedetomidine(100 μmol/L). Cell viability,colony formation,vasculogenic mimicry(VM) formation were assessed. The effects of dexmedetomidine on α-2A adrenergic receptor(α2A),hypoxia induced factor-1a(HIF-1a),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein expression were evaluated with Western blot analysis.[Results]Cell proliferation assay and colony formation assay indicated that hypoxia obviously promoted the proliferation of MHCC 97H and SMCC7721 cells(CoCl2 group vs corresponding control group,the proliferation rate of MHCC97H and SMCC7721:Day 3,142.2%and 133.8%;Day 4,134.7%and 131.0%;Day 5,133.5%and 136.2%;all P<0.05),and VM formation assay suggested that hypoxia increased angiogenesis of MHCC97H and SMCC7721 cells. Whereas dexmedetomidine significantly inhibited the proliferation(Dex+CoCl2 group vs CoCl2 group,the proliferation rate of MHCC97H and SMCC7721:Day 3,55.7%vs 60.7%;Day 4,46.9%vs 58.1%;Day 5,46.4%vs 57.0%,all P<0.05)and angiogenesis of MHCC97H,SMCC7721 cells induced by hypoxia. Dexmedetomidine may exert these functions by activating α-2A adrenergic receptor,causing an decrease in HIF-1a and VEGF protein,while hypoxia activated HIF-1a and VEGF protein to promote the growth and angiogenesis of cells.[Conclusion]The findings provide evidence that hypoxia could promote the proliferation and angiogenesis of MHCC97H and SMCC7721 cells,while dexmedetomidine might inhibit these effects by down-regulating HIF-1a and VEGF protein expression through activatingα-2A adrenergic receptor.

Objective To study the CT findings of struma ovarii(SO)and improve the understanding of SO imaging features. Methods CT images of 6 cases were retrospectively reviewed.CT plain scan was performed in 6 patients;CT enhancement scan was performed in 2 patients.Results All tumors were unilateral.On non-enhanced CT,the lesions presented as well-defined irregu-lar cystic-solid masses.The cystic portions presented as well-defined,multiple,various size,and there were entire cystic walls with smooth inner wall.Four tumors showed high attenuation lesions in the cyst portion of the mass on precontrast scans.The solid por-tions showed irregular tissue density,and were often distributed in the cysts.The tumors showed stippled calcification in solid por-tions and/or cystic wall in 4 cases.One tumor accompanied a great of ascites liquid.After contrast administration,the cystic por-tions showed no enhancement,and the cystic walls and the solid portions showed mild enhancement.Conclusion CT findings of SO have certain characteristics such as a cystic-solid and well-defined mass with calcification,high attenuation lesion on plain CT,and marked solid part enhancement on contrast CT.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of unilateral pedicle screw combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation by percutaneous and interbody fusion to treat low lumbar vertebra diseases. Methods Thirty patients with low lumbar vertebra diseases were entered into the study, including 8 males and 22 females with an average age of 53.7 years. All patients underwent discectomy, spinal canal decompression, cage implantation and lumbar fixation by unilateral pedicle screw combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw under gunsight guiding by percutaneous. Clinical outcomes were assed by JOA questionnaires before and after operation. Operative time, blood loss, and postoperative draiming were recorded. Radiological examination was obtained to assess position of translaminar facet screw.Results Mean operation time was 89 min with a blood loss of 285 ml. Position of translaminar facet screw grade Ⅰ were 24 cases, and grade 11 were 6. Mean follow-up was 22.5 months. 29 cases got bony fusion, and the fusion rate was 96.7%. There were no instability and evidence instrument failure during follow-up. The JOA grades improved from 13.0 preoperation to 25.2 at final follow-up, with the excellent and good rate of 72.5 %. Conclusion Unilateral pedicle screw combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation by percutaneous and interbody fusion provide simple procedure, little trauma, forceful fixation, high fusion rate, and less complication, etc. Therefore, the surgical maneuver is a good choice for partial low lumbar vertebra diseases.

Objective To screen the splicing isoforms of estrogen receptor βin the Beagle hypothalamic -pituitary -gonadal axis.Methods For ERβmRNA CDS sequence of eight exons, primers were designed confined to the CDS sequences of two sequential exons.Beagle hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary and uterus tissue cDNA were used as template, and corresponding sequences were amplified by PCR.PCR products were sequenced and aligned in the NCBI web site.The correct gene was then analyzed with DNAMAN comparative analysis software and handwork checking up, thus got the ERβsplicing isoforms of Beagle. Results Four beagle ER beta splicing isomers were obtained:exon 4 complete skipping ER βisomer (300 bp missing), two kind of Beagle ERβisoforms with partial exon 4 and partial exon 5 complicated missing (isoformⅠ334 bp missing and isoformⅡ265 bp missing), and exon 7 complete missing ERβsplicing isoforms (181 bp missing).Exon 4 complete skipping and exon 7 complete missing isomers had been obtained full length coding sequence, and the other two splicing isomers were partial coding sequence.Conclusion This project gained four ERβsplicing isomers of Beagle, and that will lay an important foundation for further study of their roles in the Beagle reproductive regulation mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression and relationship between somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (P-STAT3) in human olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) and adjacent normal olfactory nerve tissue. METHOD: Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to detect the expression of SSTR2 and P-STAT3 in tumor and adjacent normal olfactory nerve tissue from 11 ONB patients. RESULT: SSTR2 was mainly expressed in cell cytoplasm and the expression intensity was significantly stronger in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01). P-STAT3 was mainly expressed in cell nuclear in tumor tissues. No expression was found in adjacent normal tissues. There was a negative correlation between the expression intensity of SSTR2 and P-STAT3 (r(s) = -0.367, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Lower expression of SSTR2 and activation of STAT3 in ONB cells might contribute to the development of ONB.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Somatostatin ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy of pure transanal total mesorectal excision (PtaTME) for middle-low rectal cancer.Methods The retrospective descriptive study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 18 patients with middle-low rectal cancer who were admitted to the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2014 to August 2016 were collected.There were 7 males and 11 females,aged (58±13) years,with a range from 40 to 84 years.The body mass index was (22±3) kg/m2.All the 18 patients underwent PtaTME.Observation indicators:(1) surgical and postoperative conditions;(2) postoperative pathological examination;(3) follow-up and survival.Follow-up using inpatient reexamination,outpatient examination,and telephone interview were performed to detect anastomotic complications,anal function,urinary retention,sexual dysfunction,survival and tumor recurrence and metastasis once every 3 months within postoperative 6 months,once every 6 months from 6 months to 3 years,and once a year after 3 years up to June 2019.The measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD,and the measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range).Count data were expressed as percentages.Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results (1) Surgical and postoperative conditions:18 patients successfully underwent PtaTME,without conversion to open surgery.The operation time,volume of intraoperative blood loss,distance between anastomosis and anal verge,time to first flatus,time to urinary catheter removal,and duration of postoperative hospital stay were (202±68) minutes,50 mL (range,20-400 mL),(4.5± 2.0)cm,2 days (range,2-7 days),3 days (range,2-5 days),and 7 days (range,5-10 days) in the 18 patients,respectively.There was no perioperative complication.Among 18 patients,4 underwent preventive ileostomy.(2) Postoperative pathological examinations:the length of surgical specimens,the number of lymph node dissection,distance from tumor to the distal margin were (11.0±3.0)cm,12±6,and 1.0 cm (range,0.8-3.7 cm),respectively.The 18 patients had complete mesorectal membrane excision,with negative proximal margin,distal margin,and circumferential margin.Tumor pathological staging:there were 2 cases in Tis stage,4 in T1 stage,7 in T2 stage,and 5 in T3 stage;16 in N0 stage,1 in N1 stage,and 1 in N2 stage.Tumor histological classification:2 patients had carcinoma in situ,9 had moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma,and 7 had high-differentiated adenocarcinoma.(3) Follow-up and survival:18 patients were followed up for 34.0-59.0 months,with a median follow-up time of 57.5 months.During the follow-up,4 patients developed grade B anastomotic leakage and were cured after conservative treatment.One patient developed anastomotic recurrence at 2 years after surgery,and no recurrence was found after surgical resection of the recurrent lesion.Four patients with prophylactic ileostomy had the stoma closured,and the anus function was satisfactory after surgery.There was no urinary retention or sexual dysfunction in the 18 patients.Of the 18 patients,17 had tumor free survival after surgery.The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 94.4％,and the 3-year overall survival rate was 100.0％ in 18 patients.Conclusion PtaTME can achieve high quality of specimen,which is safe and feasible for the treatment of rectal cancer.

Objective To analyze the imaging findings and pathological basis of seminoma and improve the understanding and diagnostic accuracy.Methods The imaging findings of seminoma in 67 patients proved by histopathology were analyzed retrospectively.The tumor location,size,contour,periphery,density or signal and contrast enhancement patterns were evaluated,and these were compared with the pathological results.Results All of the 67 cases were male.46 cases were located in testicular,10 cases in the pelvic cavity,6 cases in the peritoneal and retroperitoneal,4 cases in the mediastinum,1 case in the brain.On non-enhanced CT,testicular lesions appeared to be nodular or lobular masses with clear margin.Some cases showed cystic-solid masses.And the solid component was located in the edge of the lesion,and the irregular necrosis areas of low density was located in the center.Fat and calcification component were not found in the mass.After contrast administration,the masses showed heterogeneous enhancement.The thickened and tortuous testicular arteries were seen in 11 cases in arterial phase,and thickened and twisted testicular veins were seen in 9 cases in the venous phase.The imaging findings of the mass at the other location were without features.Conclusion Testicular seminoma has significant characteristics,thickened testicular arteries and/or draining veins on enhanced CT can help the diagnosis.Imaging features of extragonadal primary seminoma are not characteristic.Combined with clinical history and signs,it is possible to improve the diagnostiic accuracy of seminoma.

Alzheimer disease(AD),commonly known as senile dementia,is the most common type of dementia,resulting in progressive impairment of cognitive function,and is often accompanied by a variety of psychiatric symptoms,such as agitation.Agitated symptoms in AD patients often cause an increasing burden on caregivers,and current psychiatric medications may exacerbate adverse effects such as cognitive impairment and motor retardation in patients.Therefore,non-drug intervention is a very important adjuvant treatment option.This article reviews the clinical manifestations,possible mechanisms,drug therapy and non-drug intervention measures of agitation in order to provide reference for more effective treatment of AD.