Objective To investigate the value of detecting methylated SEPT9 gene (mSEPT9) in serum and stool in screening colorectal cancer in elderly people.Methods Subjects were divided into three groups, the colorectal cancer group (n=82), the colorectal polyps group (n=80) and the healthy control group (n=100).Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mSEPT9 in peripheral blood and feces.The relationship between mSEPT9 and clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer was analyzed.The agreement between serum and stool results was analyzed.Results The positive rate of serum mSEPT9 was 73.2％ in the colorectal cancer group, 6.3％ in the colorectal polyps group and 4.0％ in the healthy control group, with statistical significance between the colorectal cancer group and the other two groups (P＜0.01).The sensitivity and specificity for plasma mSEPT9 detection in screening colorectal cancer were 73.2 ％ and 95.6％, respectively.The positive rate was higher in patients with tumor maximum diameter over 3.0 cm, invasion of the entire serosa layer, lower differentiation or advanced clinical staging (P＜0.05).The detection results of plasma mSEPT9 were in complete agreement with those of stool mSEPT9 from the same patients.Conclusions The expression of mSEPT9 is high in elderly patients with colorectal cancer and has a high sensitivity and specificity for PCR detection.Complete agreement can be seen in results from plasma and feces.Detecting mSEPT9 can be a valuable approach to screening colorectal cancer in the elderly.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) in elderly patients.Methods The retrospective cohort study was adopted.The clinical data of 3 203 patients with inguinal hernias (3 847 sides) who were adnitted to the Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine between January 2001 and December 2013 were collected.Of 3 203 patients,979 (1 107 sides) with age ＜ 60 years and 2 224 (2 740 sides) with age ≥ 60 years were respectively allocated into the under 60 years group and 60 years or older group.The surgical procedures including transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach,total extraperitoneal (TEP) approach and intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) approach were selected and performed by doctors in the same team.There were light-weight and heavy-weight patches.Observation indicators included (1) overall operation situations,(2) surgical comparison between the 2 groups,(3)comparison of postoperative indicators between the 2 groups,(4) follow-up.Follow-up using telephone interview and outpatient examination was performed to detect the recovery time of non-restricted activity,recurrence of hernia and complications.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as ~ ± s and comparison between groups was done by the t test.Comparisons of count data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability.Ranked data were compared by the nonparametric rank sum test.Results (1) Overall operation situations:3 203 patients with inguinal hernias (3 847 sides) underwent LIHR,including 1 475 (1 677 sides) using TAPP approach,1 718 (2 154 sides) using TEP approach and 10 (16 sides) using IPOM approach (6 using TAPP and IOPM approaches in each side).The light-weight patch was used in 2 206 sides and heavy-weight patch was used in 1 641 sides.Operation time was (31 ± 12) minutes in all 3 203 patients,(27 ±9)minutes in 2 559 patients with unilateral hernia and (44 ± 12)minutes in 644 patients with bilateral hernia,respectively.Duration of postoperative hospital stay was (1.5 ± 1.2) days.(2) Surgical comparison between the 2 groups:TAPP approach,TEP approach,IPOM approach,light-weight patch and heavy-weight patch were performed to 567,538,2,751,356 sides in the under 60 years group and 1 110,1 616,14,1 455,1 285 sides in the 60 years or older group,respectively,with statistically significant differences in above indicators between the 2 groups (X2 =37.976,70.022,P ＜ 0.05).Operation time in unilateral hernia and bilateral hernia and total operation time were (27 ± 9)minutes,(42 ± 10)minutes,(29 ± 10)minutes in the under 60 years group and (27 ± 10)minutes,(44 ± 12)minutes,(3 1 ± 13)minutes in the 60 years or older group,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (t =-0.106,-1.768,-4.445,P ＞ 0.05).(3) Comparison of postoperative indicators between the 2 groups:the pain score at postoperative day 1 and duration of postoperative hospital stay were 2.4 ± 1.1,(1.5 ± 1.1) days in the under 60 years group and 2.3 ± 1.0,(1.5 ± 1.3) days in the 60 years or older group,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (t =1.419,-0.126,P ＞0.05).(4) Follow-up:all the patients were followed up for 23-60 months,with a median time of 43 months.Cases with non-restricted activity recovery at postoperative week 2 and 4 were 973,978 in the under 60 years group and 2 208,2 222 in the 60 years or older group,respectively,showing no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (X2=0.113,P ＞0.05).The recurrence of hernia,severe complications,serum tumescence,paresthesia and enteroparalysis were detected in 1,0,49,5,1 sides in the under 60 years group and 11,3,132,16,2 sides in the 60 years or older group,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (x2=1.556,0.269,0.254,P ＞ 0.05).The urinary retention in the under 60 years group and 60 years or older group was respectively detected in 6 and 44 sides,showing a statistically significant difference between 2 groups (x2=6.956,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion LIHR is safe and effective in elderly patients,and it can achieve good clinical efficacy under selecting reasonable operation procedures and patches.

OBJECTIVETo study the levels of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood of children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

METHODSThe flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- Treg cells in peripheral blood of 33 children with ITP and 21 healthy children.

RESULTSThe expression levels of CD4+CD25+CD127-［(2.7±1.7)% vs (4.8±1.6)%; P<0.01］and CD3+CD4-CD8-［(5.2±3.1)% vs (8.1±3.5)%; P<0.01］Treg cells in children with ITP were significantly lower than in the controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression levels of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- Treg cells decrease in children with ITP, suggesting that CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- Treg cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of ITP.

Adolescent ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; CD4 Antigens ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; etiology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate COX-2 expression in patients with gastric cancer and its relationship with angiogenesis and clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer.

METHODSCOX-2 expression and CD34-stained microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemical methods in specimens from 96 patients with gastric cancer. The correlations among COX-2 expression, MVD and clinicopathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTSThe COX-2 positive rate and MVD in gastric cancer were significantly higher than those in the normal gastric mucosa (80.2% vs. 13.3%; 32.5+/- 8.3 vs. 13.1+/- 2.4, all P< 0.01). The COX-2 positive rate and MVD in the patients with stage III and IV were significantly higher (91.4% and 34.9+/- 8.7 respectively, P< 0.01), than that in the patients with stage I and II. The COX-2 positive rate and MVD in the cases with lymph node metastasis were 87.9% and (35.0+/- 8.5) respectively, higher than those in the cases without lymph node metastasis (P< 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation test showed a significant correlation between COX-2 expression and tumor MVD (r=0.311, P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCOX-2 plays an important role in gastric cancer angiogenesis. COX-2 and angiogenesis induced by COX-2 contribute to tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the perfusion characteristics and compare the volume of normal kidney and serum creatinine (Scr) before and after arterial embolization on 64-slice spiral CT.

METHODSTotally 21 patients with renal tumor were enrolled. Sixty-four slice spiral CT was used for renal perfusion scan before and after patients underwent tumor arterial embolization. Perfusion characteristics, including blood flow, blood volume, and permeability of renal mass parenchyma and renal cortex in normal kidneys were calculated and the volume of normal kidneys was measured. The values of Scr in all patients were recorded. The perfusion characteristics, the volume of normal kidneys and the level of Scr before and after embolization were compared.

RESULTSRenal clear cell carcinoma was pathologically confirmed in all patients. After having supply blood arterial embolization of renal tumor, perfusion characteristics of tumor parenchyma significantly decreased, perfusion characteristics of renal cortex in normal kidney significantly increased, and the volume of normal kidneys was significantly enlarged (P < 0.01); however, the values of Scr in all patients were not significantly different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe perfusion characteristics and volume of kidney may reflect the effects of renal arterial embolization on renal function. Perfusion imaging with multi-slice spiral CT is potentially useful in the evaluation of renal pathophysiological characteristics.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Creatinine ; blood ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion Imaging ; methods ; Regional Blood Flow ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo sum up the experience of performing ascending aorta replacement combined triple-branched stent graft implantation for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to December 2010, 14 patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent the procedure of performing ascending aorta replacement combined triple-branched stent graft implantation. Right axillary artery cannulation was used for cardiopulmonary bypass and selected cerebral perfusion. When the body temperature drops below 18°C, the ascending aorta was transected near the base of the innominate artery. From the incision, the triple-branched stent graft was implanted into the true lumen of the arch, descending aorta and the aorta bifurcation vessel. The transected stump of the ascending aorta was anastomosis to the proximal of the branched blood vessel prosthesis.

RESULTSCardiopulmonary bypass time was (186 ± 38) min, cross clamp time was (101 ± 27) min, and average selective cerebral perfusion and lower body arrest time was (39 ± 11) min. The in-hospital mortality was zero. One patient of transient postoperative neurologic dysfunction, one of acute renal failure, one of transient limbs disturbance, one of secondary thoracotomy operation, one of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and one of postoperative chylothorax were observed. CT angiography rechecked showed the position of the vascular stent were satisfactory and the blood flow of arterial branches stents were lucid. The false lumen of the aortic arch and descending aorta closed with thrombus or shrinked.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients required aortic arch to be reconstructed which had no main tearing of intima in the arch may be best candidates for this technique. Open triple-branched stent graft placement combined ascending aorta replacement is an effective means for aortic arch reconstruction in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of microwave radiation on GC-2spd cells.

METHODSWe exposed cultured GC-2spd cells to microwave radiation at the average power densities of 0, 10 and 30 mW/cm2 for 15 minutes and, from I to 24 hours after the exposure, we observed the changes in cell proliferation, histology and ultrastructure, cell apoptosis, and cAMP content by MTIT, light microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the GC-2spd cells showed a significant decrease in proliferation ability at 1 -24 hours after 10 and 30 mW/cm2 microwave radiation, except at 12 hours after 30 mW/cm2 radiation (P <0.05 or P <0.01), with reduced length and number of cell enation and increased intra cytoplasm vacuoles. The rate of cell apoptosis (%) was significantly increased in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 hours (4.56 +/- 2.09 vs 14.59 +/- 1.09 and 8.48 +/- 1.73, P <0.05 or P <0.01) , with agglutination and margin translocation of chromatins and obvious dilation of endo cytoplasmic reticula. The cAMP content (nmol/g) in the GC-2spd cells was remarkably reduced in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 and 24 hours (2.77 +/-0.24 vs 1.65+/- 0. 17 and 1.96+/-0.10, 3.02 +/-0.47 vs 2.13 +/-0.33 and 1.69 +/-0.27, P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONMicrowave radiation at 10 and 30 mW/cm2 may cause injury to GC-2spd cells, which is manifested by decreased content of intracellular cAMP, reduced activity of cell proliferation, and increased rate of cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; radiation effects ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Spermatocytes ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antiangiogenic property of pigment epithelium-derived factor(PEDF) in heptocarcinoma cell lines and explore its possible application in the gene therapy of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe gene encoding human PEDF was subcloned into lentiviral vector to generate the recombinant plasmid pLenti-PEDF. The plasmid pLenti-PEDF and two other packaging plasmids were cotransfected to 293T cells by calcium phosphate. Then HepG2 was infected with recombinant lentivirus and the expression efficiency of PEDF was analyzed by western blot. Proliferation and migration assay of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was used to evaluate the biological activity of PEDF in vitro. Murine subcutaneous tumor model was established to investigate the therapeutic effects of Lenti-PEDF on HCC, and the expression of PEDF mRNA in tumor tissues was analyzed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSRestriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing demonstrated that the recombinant plasmid pLenti-PEDF was constructed successfully. HepG2 secreted PEDF in the media effectively after infected with the recombinant lentivirus and this protein exhibited strong inhibitory effects on proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (P less than 0.01). Intratumoral injection of Lenti-PEDF caused significant inhibition of tumor growth (P less than 0.01), and high level expression of PEDF mRNA was detected in tumor tissues by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that PEDF may exert an inhibitory effect on tumor angiogenesis and PEDF gene therapy may provide a new approach for the treatment of HCC.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Eye Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; therapy ; Nerve Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serpins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

Xingnaojing (XNJ) is an effective clinical drug used to treat acute stroke. Compared with injection administration, its nasal administration has better brain targeting. Therefore, through nasal administration, XNJ microemulsion could help solve the drug load of compound components of different polarities contained in large-dose and high-concentration traditional Chinese medicines, and reduce irritation to nasal mucosa In this study, the modified volume correction method and the improved rat in situ nasal perfusion model were adopted to compare the nasal absorption of geniposide contained in different XNJ preparations. The results showed that the constant absorption rate of geniposide (GE) in XNJ-D was (2.95 +/- 0.25) x 10(-3) min(-1), whereas the constant absorption rate of GE in XNJ-M was (2.16 +/- 0.21) x 10(-3) min(-1). This indicated that the rat nasal absorption of GE in different XNJ preparations complied with the first-order process and could be considered as passive absorption. GE in XNJ-D was absorbed faster than that in XNJ-M, which provided basis for the development of nasal preparations of XNJ.
Absorption ; Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Emulsions ; Iridoids ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Nose ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome.

METHODSThe examinations including routine karyotyping, sex hormone, GnRH stimulation test and MRI were performed.

RESULTSCytogenetic analysis of his peripheral lymphocyte by G banding showed a normal male karyotype. GnRH stimulation test presented a good reaction. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were very low. Absent olfactory bulb was found by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

CONCLUSIONKaryotype analysis, sexual hormone, GnRH stimulation test and MRI are very important the diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analysis ; Humans ; Kallmann Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Karyotyping ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male