Forty one patients with esophageal carcinoma (T3N1 M0 or less) underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in prone position for esophagectomy from September 2006 to September 2010.The postoperative outcome and survival of patients were retrospectively analyzed.The results confirmed the feasibility and safety of this minimally invasive esophagectomy performed by thoracoscopy in the prone position for patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonngraphy on diagnosis and judgement of prednisone withdraw in patients with subacute thyroiditis.Methods Sixty-six patients with clinically proved subacute thyroiditis underwent two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography before treatment of prednisone. The ultmsonographic features and bloodtlow distribution in thyroid of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Target of prednisone withdraw was judged according to ultrasonographic images (36 eases) and clinical symptom (30 cases). Results The ultmsonographic features of subacute thyroiditis mainly presented as bilateral or unilateral diffussion or focal low echogenicity in the affected thyroid, and color Doppler ultrasonography showed the increased vascularity around the lesions. Intraarterial bloodflow feature was low velocity and low resistance pattern, prednisone withdraw was performed according to ultrasonographic images after the treatment of prednisone, then relapse rate was decreased compared with the group of clinical symptom [8.33% (3/36) vs 26.67% (8/30)] (P <0.05). Conclusion Two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography is highly valuable for diagnosing and treating subacute thyroiditis.

Objective:To study the related factors of severe acute radiation-induced lung injury (SAR) caused by IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of 2 323 non-small cell lung cancer pa-tients who underwent IMRT radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy at the Department of Radiotherapy of Tianjin Medical Univer-sity Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2010 to January 2014. We analyzed the clinical factors and parameters that affect dose by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results:A total of 2 323 patients enrolled and 1 241 cases suffering from acute radiation-in-duced lung injury with the rate of 53.4%. Only 185 cases suffered from SARP with a rate of 7.96%. Univariate analysis showed that the gender, histopathological type, total radiation dose, V5 (%), and average dose rate are not related to SARP (P>0.05). By contrast an age of>60 years, 1%predicted FEV, docetaxel+carboplatin/cisplatin chemotherapy, V20 (%), V30 (%), and mean lung dose (MLD) are sig-nificantly related to SARP (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that a patient age of>60 years, docetaxel+carboplatin/cisplatin che-motherapy, V20 (%), and V30 (%) are the independent risk factors of SARP. Conclusion:Among the non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing IMRT radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy, further attention should be given to elderly patients, patients receiving docetaxel and platinum chemotherapy, as well as V20 and V30 with high doses. The necessary preventive treatment should be given to reduce the incidence of SARP, improve the quality of life of patients, and reduce the incidence of respiratory failure and mortality.

Objective To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of ursolic acid (UA) on inhibiting proliferation of human esophageal carcinoma cell Eca-109 and inducing its apoptosis. Methods Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of Eca-l09 induced by UA. Cell cycle and apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM),and the expression of P27kip1,Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blot method. Results UA could significantly inhibit the growth of Eca-109 cells(P

Objective To explore the damage of spiral ganglion neurons(SGNs),the protective effects of different dosages of healthy ear compound (HEC)from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) against age-induced SGNs degeneration and its possible mechanism in spiral ganglion neurons(SGNs)of C57BL/6J mice.Methods Totally 36 C57BL/6J mice just after ablactation were randomly divided into four groups.Normal control group (n =6)drank tap water daily from ablactation to 2 months old.Ageing-related SGNs apoptosis control group(n=12)drank tap water daily from ablactation to 7 months old.High dose TCM group(n=12)at drank 3.65 g/kg/d of HEC from ablactation to 7 months old.Low dose TCM group(n=6)drank 0.91 g/kg/d of HEC from ablactation to 7 months old.The animal cochleae were immediately removed at the termination of the experiment.In each group,the cochleae of 6 animals were used for paraffin embedding,slicing and toluidine blue staining to observe neuronal morphological changes.The caspase-3 mRNA expression study was performed by real-time PCR technique in 6 cochleae of High dose TCM group and ageing-related SGNs apoptosis control group.Results The morphological structure of cochlear SGNs represented healthy and normal density in normal control group at 2 months old.In contrast,amount or density of SGNs in cochlear basilar part was significantly damaged and reduced in ageing-related SGNs apoptosis control group at 7 months old(P＜ 0.001).But the high dose TCM group at 7 months of age was similar to the normal control group at 2 months old in morphological structure,amount or density of SGNs(P＞0.05).The low dose TCM group was significantly different from other 3 groups in amount or density of SGNs (P＜0.001).However,SGNs in the middle part and apical part showed integrity in each group.In addition,the expression level of caspase-3 in the cochlea of high dose TCM group was also obviously different with age-related SGNs apoptosis control group(P＜0.01) Conclusions Ageing-related damage of SGNs in C57BL/6J mice begins from the base of cochlea and progresses towards the apex.The HEC of TCM could significantly protect SGNs against age-induced apoptosis in SGNs.The efficacy of the high dose TCM is better than that of the low dose TCM.Its SGNs protective mechanisms might be related to involving the caspase-mediated cell apoptotic pathway.

Purpose To assess the clinical application of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (NCE-MRA) using flow sensitive dephasing (FSD) prepared steady-state free precession (SSFP) for displaying hand arteries of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods Twenty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited in this study. All the patients undertook hand NCE-MRA and three-dimensional dynamic CE-MRA on a 1.5T MR scanner. The informed consent was obtained from each subject. Image quality was assessed independently by two experienced radiologists at three arterial segments (wrist arteries, palm arteries, andfinger arteries) with a four-point scale. Signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and vessel sharpness were evaluated by a magnetic resonance physicist. The results and image quality were statistically compared between the two MRA techniques.Results Twenty-two patients of 24 hands successfully underwent NCE-MRA and CE-MRA scan. Among 72 vascular segments, 69 segments of NCE-MRA were diagnostic, which was higher than that of CE-MRA (96% vs 83%,P<0.05). Otherwise, the image quality, SNR, CNR and vessel sharpness of NCE-MRA were all superior to those of CE-MRA (P<0.05).Conclusion NCE-MRA using FSD-prepared SSFP allows clear depiction of the hand arterial tree, and the image quality is superior to that of dynamic CE-MRA. It is a potential tool for evaluating the disease of hand arteries.

Objective:To examine a nomogram model for individualized prediction of the risk for recurrence of early gastric cancer(EGC)in elderly patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD).Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study, with a total of 3 987 elderly EGC patients who underwent ESD treatment between January 2000 and December 2016 after admission to the gastroenterology department of our hospital.Twenty-eight relapsed patients with complete clinicopathological data and follow-up data were selected as the relapse group, and 276 non-relapsed patients were selected as the control group.General data of all patients were collected and a logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze independent risk factors for the recurrence of EGC in patients after ESD.A corresponding nomogram risk prediction model was established by using the R software.Results:Among the 3 987 elderly EGC patients, 29 relapsed after an average follow-up of 2.7 years, and the recurrence rate was 0.73%(29/3 987). The differences in baseline data such as age(≥75 years old), lesion size(≥3 mm), T stage and lymph node metastasis between the recurrence group and the control group were statistically significant(11 cases or 39.3% vs.171 cases or 62.0%, 19 cases or 67.9% vs.111 cases or 40.0%, 9 cases or 32.1% vs.153 cases or 55.4%, 19 cases or 67.9% vs.102 cases or 39.0%, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age over 75 years( OR=2.128, 95% CI: 1.373-3.624), T stage( OR=1.763, 95% CI: 1.079-2.934), lesion size≥3 mm( OR=2.604, 95% CI: 1.363-4.217), and lymph node metastasis( OR=2.871, 95% CI: 1.425-5.639)were independent risk factors for the recurrence after ESD in EGC patients( P<0.05). The nomogram model was established based on the above risk factors, and the validation results showed that the predicted value was basically the same as the actual measured value and had good predictive performance.The internal validation results showed that the consistency index was 0.817(95% CI: 0.722-0.941), suggesting that the model had a high accuracy and discrimination. Conclusions:Before ESD for elderly EGC patients is performed, factors such as age, tumor size, T stage and lymph node metastasis should be fully considered to comprehensively evaluate the recurrence rate of EGC after the procedure.This predictive model can improve the diagnostic efficacy of postoperative recurrence and has high clinical value.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between inositol level and glycolipid metabolism in gravidas with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 GDM cases undergoing routine examination at Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital from November 2018 to August 2019, who were selected as GDM groups. Another 50 women with uncomplicated pregnancies during the same period were selected as the control group. Blood and urine inositol level and serum glycolipid profiles were compared between the two groups, and their association was analyzed. Independent or paired-sample t test, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) test, and Pearson correlation test were performed for statistical analysis. Results:The serum inositol concentration and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the GDM group were significantly lower [322.1 ng/ml (279.1-364.1 ng/ml) vs 403.8 ng/ml (391.8-425.3 ng/ml), Z=-7.879; 1.8 mmol/L (1.5-2.0 mmol/L) vs 2.0 mmol/L (1.7-2.2 mmol/L), Z=-2.419; both P<0.05], while the concentration of urine inositol, lipoprotein-a (lipo-a), 0 h-, 1 h-, 2 h-oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose, fasting insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly higher when comparing to the control group [192.2 ng/ml (171.0-219.9 ng/ml) vs 143.8 ng/ml (121.1-158.6 ng/ml), Z=-6.834; 253.2 mg/L (65.0-349.0 mg/L) vs 148.5 mg/L(46.5-159.3 mg/L), Z=-0.187; 5.0 mmol/L (5.1-5.6 mmol/L) vs 4.4 mmol/L (4.2-4.6 mmol/L), Z=-5.547; 10.0 mmol/L (9.1-11.3 mmol/L) vs 7.8 mmol/L (7.0-8.4 mmol/L), Z=-6.987; 8.6 mmol/L(7.6-9.4 mmol/L) and 6.6 mmol/L (5.7-7.1 mmol/L), Z=-7.100; 18.2 mU/L(10.6-25.9 mU/L) vs 11.0 mU/L (6.3-12.7 mU/L), Z=-4.537; 5.4%(4.5%-5.5%) vs 5.1%(4.9%-5.4%), Z=-3.468; all P<0.05]. (2) Serum inositol concentration was negatively correlated with fasting insulin and 0 h-, 1 h-, 2 h- OGTT glucose level ( r=-0.386, -0.416, -0.350 and -0.407, respectively); urinary inositol concentration was positively correlated with 0 h-, 1 h-, 2 h-OGTT glucose levels ( r=0.402, 0.389 and 0.429, respectively) (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum inositol concentration was decreased, and urinary inositol excretion was increased in women with GDM. Measurement of changes in inositol levels during the second trimester may be helpful to assess the metabolic status of pregnant women.

BACKGROUNDRecent researches have manifested that down-regulation of KAI1 relates to metastasis in various tumors, but its association with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the mechanism for its down-regulation are not clear. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of KAI1 in NSCLC and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and mutant P53 protein.

METHODSThe expression of KAI1/CD82 and mutant P53 protein was detected in 48 cases of NSCLC tissues by Western blot, and KAI1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR method, with 20 cases of pulmonary benign disease tissues and normal lung tissues as control..

RESULTSThe positive rate of KAI1 mRNA was 52% in lung cancer group and 90% in control group, respectively (P < 0.01), KAI1/CD82 was 48% and 85% respectively (P < 0.01), and mutant P53 protein was 65% and 5% respectively (P < 0.01). The positive rate of KAI1 mRNA, KAI1/CD82 and mutant P53 protein closely related to the tumor stages, cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis status (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of KAI1/CD82 highly related to KAI1 mRNA (P < 0.01) and mutant P53 protein (P < 0.05), while expression of KAI1 mRNA did not relate to mutant P53 protein expression (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe down-regulation of KAI1 may relate to carcinogenesis, development and metastasis of NSCLC. Its reduction may occur mainly at transcriptional level and correlate with p53 in NSCLC. KAI1 and p53 might be helpful to predict the potential metastasis of NSCLC.

Objectives To conduct a research on the possibility and effect factors of latent fingerprints development in clothing objects after vacuum coating, and extracting fingerprints DNA and to probe in the relation among DNA template quantity and genetic loci numbers tested, and the rfu value after coating. Methods To select two groups that are free sweat hands and sweat hands and have them press their fingerprints on the cloth, after coating, and to analyze the effect of time, to quantify and test the targeted fingerprints DNA, to compare the locus numbers tested between white and black cloth. Results As the time is prolonged, the locus numbers tested decrease. The locus numbers tested on the group of sweat hands using the same method after the same placed time are lager than the free sweat hands. When the value of rfu is 600 above, the ratio of the locus numbers tested is more than 90% and the threshold of templates is 0.013ng. The locus numbers tested of white cloth is larger, comparing with black cloth when using the same method. What is more, there exists an prohibitive influence of pigments of the dyed cloth over the PCR amplification, to put it further, the loci numbers tested will be trimmed. Conclusion The technology of vacuum coating can be well used in the area of detecting fingerprint DNA.