OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expressions of KAI1, nm23, ETS-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD) and lymph node metastasis and prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSThe Envision immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of KAI1, nm23, ETS-1 and VEGF in 50 cases of non-keratinizing carcinoma (NKC) with cervical lymph node metastasis, 30 cases of NKC without cervical lymph node metastasis at the primary diagnoses and 30 cases of non-tumor nasopharyngeal tissues (NP). The microvascular density was counted by immunostaining with CD34.

RESULTS(1) The expression rates of KAI1 and nm23 protein in NKC with cervical lymph node metastasis group and without cervical lymph node metastasis group and NP group increased successively , the difference being significant (P < 0.05); The expression rates of ETS-1 and VEGF protein in NKC with cervical lymph node metastasis group and without cervical lymph node metastasis group and NP group increased successively, the difference being significant (P < 0.05). (2) In 80 NKC cases, the MVD was respectively lower in KAI1 and nm23 protein positive groups than those in the negative groups (P < 0.05); the MVD was respectively higher in ETS-1 and VEGF protein positive groups than those in the negative groups (P < 0.05 ). (3) There was significant difference between the MVD, the number of NKC without cervical lymph node metastasis cases in the single expression of KAI1 or nm23 protein and in common expression of KAI1 and nm23 protein (P < 0.05), in the same as between the single expression of ETS-1 or VEGF protein and in common expressions of ETS-1 and VEGF protein (P < 0.05). (4) There was positive correlation between the expressions of KAI1 and nm23 protein (P < 0.01), as well as between the expressions of ETS-1 and VEGF protein (P < 0.01). (5) the 5-year survival rates of the patients correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis and the expressions of KAI1, nm23, ETS-1 and VEGF proteins in NKC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expressions of KAI1, nm23, ETS-1 and VEGF proteins were highly related to MVD in NPC,cervical lymph node metastasis and prognosis. They might be considered to be reference indicator for evaluating the cervical lymph node metastasis and prognosis of NPC.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kangai-1 Protein ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases ; metabolism ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To make a reasonable evidence-based nursing scheme for the oxygen non-humidified of continuing nasal cannula oxygen therapy. Method Adopting the JBI clinical evidence application system, make sure the evidence baseline investigated before application, used during clinical application, and reviewed after application. Based on the now available best evidence, making examination standard and apply it to clinical care. During the application of evidence, 81 continuing low-flow (oxygen flow≤4L/min) nasal cannula oxygen patients were taken. Making assessment on the experiment group(oxygen non-humidified) and control group (oxygen humidified) in three aspects: the comfort level and effect of oxygen therapy, and humidification bottles contamination. Results During the application of evidence, the difference between experiment group and control group shows no statistical significance (P>0.05);the experiment group in oxygen therapy operating time was (162.93±40.18) s, the control group operating time was (258.60 ± 56.97) s, the difference of two groups in shows statistical significance (t=8.752, P<0.01). Conclusion The continuing low-flow (oxygen flow≤4L/min) nasal cannula oxygen therapy do not need humidification. And the clinical application of this best evidence standardizes the clinical nurses oxygen nursing behavior, reduces the nursing cost and enhances the quality of clinical nursing.

Objective To identify the genotypes of ESBLs-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from the First Affiliated Hospital,Shantou University Medical College.Methods The MICs of 10 antibiotics were determined by agar-dilution against the clinical isolates of ESBLs-producing K.pneumoniae.PCR were performed with specific primers for blaTEM,blaSHV, blaCTX-M and blaOXA respectively.PCR products were cloned and sequenced.Results The results of PCR showed that a- mong the 83 strains of ESBLs-producing K.pneumoniae,75 were positive for blaTEM,41 positive for blaSHV,25 poitive for blaCTX-M,9 positive for hlaOXA.Three genotypes were found in 13 strains(15.7%),2 genotypes in 59 strains (71.1%) and single genotype in only 11 strains(13.2%).The genes of CTX-M-3,TEM-1 and SHV were found co-existent in 9 strains. The strains carrying 2 or 3 ESBL genes were more resistant to antibiotics than those carrying only 1 ESBL gene.Conclusions The genotypes of ESBLs-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in this hospital are blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCTX-M and blaOXA. Most strains carry 2 or 3 ESBL genes.

Objective To explore the changes of Sema3A and it′s receptor Npl in temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE)rat brain and the roles in epileptogenesis mechanism.Methods TLE model was established with male healthy SD rats,in which mossy fiber sprouting(MFS)was verified using Neo-Timm staining method.Sema3A mRNA,Npl mRNA and protein was respectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in the entorhinal cortex(EC)or dentate gyrus(DG)at different time after LiCL-PILO induced TLE.Results There were Mossy fiber sprouting(7d:0.70?0.42,15d:1.50?0.52,30 d:2.20 ?0.41,60 d:2.50?0.51)in DG inner molecular layer(IML)of TLE rat compared with those of controls (P

Diabetes surgery is a new concept in recent years, which means controlling blood sugar or curing diabetes through some surgical methods. From the commencement of bariatric surgery in the 1950s to the discovery of the special function of decreasing blood sugar after these surgeries in 1970s, and then the fast developing of diabetes surgery in the past 30 years, now there seems be a different answer to the question that if we can cure diabetes. In this article, we review the historical evolution, surgical procedure, potential mechanism and outlook of diabetes surgery.
Bariatric Surgery ; methods ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Humans

BACKGROUNDLong-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) requires that the peritoneal membrane remain effective for dialysis. Research directed toward human peritoneal morphology and structure is limited. The present study was performed to investigate morphological changes of the human peritoneal membrane during PD and to elucidate the possible mechanisms of its functional deterioration.

METHODSA total of 32 peritoneal biopsies were performed in normal subjects (n = 10), uremic nondialysis patients (n = 12) at the time of catheter insertion, and PD patients (n = 10) at the time of catheter removal or reinsertion or at the time of renal transplantation. Peritoneal morphology was examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe peritoneal membrane in normal subjects consisted of a monolayer of mesothelial cells on a basement membrane and a layer of connective tissue containing cells, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Mesothelial cells were polygonal, often elongated, and had numerous microvilli on their luminal surface. There were lots of oval or roundish pinocytotic vesicles in the cytoplasm of the mesothelial cells. The peritoneal morphology of uremic nondialysis patients was similar to that of normal subjects. However, significant abnormalities of the peritoneal membrane were observed in PD patients, and the changes were found to be progressive. Microvilli were the first site of damage which involved microvilli shortening, a gradual reduction in their number, and, eventually, the total disappearance of microvilli. Mesothelial cells then detached from the basement membrane, disappearing completely in some cases. In the end, the peritoneal membrane consisted only of submesothelial connective tissue without any cells.

CONCLUSIONSPD can modify peritoneal morphology and structure. The morphological change is progressive and may be one of the important causes of peritoneal failure. Peritoneal biopsies can provide lots of valuable information about the effects of PD. Studying the relationship between peritoneal structure and its function proved very useful for understanding the physiopathology of the peritoneum during PD.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneum ; pathology ; ultrastructure

BACKGROUNDCandida albicans is the most frequently seen opportunistic human fungal pathogen. Terbinafine is an allylamine antifungal agent that has been proven to have high clinical efficacy in the therapy of fungal infections, the mechanism of action of terbinafine involves the specific inhibition of fungal squalene epoxidase, resulting in ergosterol deficiency and accumulation of intracellular squalene. We used cDNA microarray analysis technology to monitor global expression profile changes of Candida albicans genes in response to terbinafine treatment, and we anticipated a panoramic view of the responses of Candida albicans cells to the representatives of allylamine antifungal agents at the molecular level in an effort to identify drug class-specific and mechanism-independent changes in gene expression.

METHODSCandida albicans strain ATCC 90028 was exposed to either medium alone or terbinafine at a concentration equivalent to the 1/2 minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs, 4 mg/L) for 90 minutes. RNA was isolated and gene expression profiles were compared to identify the changes in the gene expression profile using a cDNA microarray analysis. Differential expression of 10 select genes detected by cDNA microarray analysis was confirmed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSA total of 222 genes were found to be responsive to terbinafine, including 121 up-regulated genes and 101 down-regulated genes. These included genes encoding membrane transport proteins belonging to the members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) or major facilitator superfamily (MFS; CDR1, AGP2, GAP6, PHO84, HOL3, FCY23, VCX1), genes involved in stress response and detoxification (CDR1, AGP2, HOL3), and gene involved in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway (ERG12). The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR were consistent with that of the cDNA microarray analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThe up-regulation of the gene encoding the multidrug resistance efflux pump CDR1 may contribute to the terbinafine resistance in Candida albicans. However, the precise roles of other affected genes remain unclear, further studies of these genes and their respective products that play roles in the context of antifungal resistance are warranted.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome, Fungal ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Naphthalenes ; pharmacology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of quercetin on cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells.

METHODSPrimary cultures of rPT cells undergoing exponential growth were incubated with 1.0 μg/mL quercetin and/or cadmium (2.5, 5.0 μmol/L), in a serum-free medium at 37 °C at different time intervals. Commercial kits were used and flow cytometric analyses were performed on rPT cell cultures to assay apoptosis and oxidative stress.

RESULTSExposure of rPT cells to cadmium acetate (2.5, 5.0 µmol/L) induced a decrease in cell viability, caused an increase in apoptotic rate and apoptotic morphological changes. Simultaneously, elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and calcium levels, depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular glutathione, and inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were revealed during the cadmium exposure of rPT cells. However, simultaneous supplementation with 1 µg/mL quercetin protected rPT cells against cadmium-induced cytotoxicity through inhibiting apoptosis, attenuating lipid peroxidation, renewing mitochondrial function and elevating the intracellular antioxidants (non-enzymatic and enzymic) levels.

CONCLUSIONThe present study has suggested that quercetin, as a widely distributed dietary antioxidant, contributes potentially to prevent cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in rPT cells.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Cadmium Poisoning ; prevention & control ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy combined with intraperitoneal perfusion of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells for advanced gastric cancer patients with ascites.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2010, 42 advanced gastric cancer patients with ascites in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University were enrolled in the study. According to personal choice, patients were divided into 2 groups: XELOX chemotherapy alone (Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin) was applied in 22 patients (chemotherapy group) and XELOX combined with intraperitoneal perfusion of CIK cells in 20 patients (combination group). The efficacy, safety, and immunological function, including the time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, immunity index (CD4+/CD8+ ratio), volume of peritoneal fluid, were compared between two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the chemotherapy group after treatment, the combination group had a higher KPS score (78.0±9.8 vs. 70.0±8.9, P=0.009), less volume of 2-cycle peritoneal fluid drainage [(4500±1218) ml vs. (5527±1460) ml, P=0.018 ], longer median TTP (4.0 vs. 2.5 months, P=0.001) and OS (11.0 vs. 6.0 months, P=0.006), higher ratio of CD4+/CD8+ (1.34±0.36 vs. 0.96±0.26, P=0.001). While no significant significances were found between the two groups in disease response rate (35.0% vs. 22.7%, P=0.499) and disease control rate (75.0% vs. 54.5%, P=0.209). There were no serious adverse reactions in the combination group.

CONCLUSIONSAs compared with XELOX chemotherapy alone, the combination immunological treatment of XELOX chemotherapy and intraperitoneal perfusion of CIK cells possesses better efficacy for the advanced gastric cancer patients with ascites, which can prolong the survival and enhance the immunological function with favorable safety.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Ascites ; etiology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVELeukemia is a major cause of death of children in China, which accounts for 50 % of all cancers of children. Data from Tianjin Cancer Hospital was analyzed for mortality of leukemia in children under 20 years from 1981 to 2000 in the city of Tianjin.

METHODSAll physicians and medical staff of the hospitals and clinics in the registry area were responsible for filling out the report forms for every new case diagnosed as malignant tumors. Death certificates for malignant tumors have been registered at the local police station and the residential files were checked. All cancer cases with insufficient information were traced to his/her family and relevant persons worked in the clinic. Tianjin Cancer Registry Center periodically conducted an active re-checking program to review all patient records on cancers that was not registered in this period. Tumors diagnosed in this study were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O). Mortality rates were calculated by age, sex and date of death.

RESULTSThe types of acute lymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia were the most common types of childhood leukemia in Tianjin, comprised 69.3%, 20.9 % and 8.0%, respectively. The mortality for childhood leukemia decreased slowly during the period of 1981 to 2000 in Tianjin. Mortality and morbidity ratios were 0.51.

CONCLUSIONCombined with characteristics of individual forms of childhood leukemia mortality, further epidemiological research is needed to prevent childhood leukemia.

Adolescent ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia ; mortality ; Young Adult